Frequently Asked Questions

In order to maintain a small, friendly race and stay within the capacity of Prospector Park, registrations will be limited for the 2019 Lost Dutchman Marathon races. The marathon is limited to 400 participants, and the Half Marathon is limited to 1100 runners. Maximum registration for the 10K is 800 and 800 for the 8K Trail Run. There is no limit on the number of participants in the 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk.

The average low temperature for Apache Junction in February is 44°F, and the average high is 70°F with a mean of 57°F. (The record low in February is 24°F, the record high is 88°F.) The marathon start is 500' higher and will be a few degrees cooler.

February is the in the rainy season, with an average monthly participation of 1.60" inches.

No. You must run the race you are registered for on race morning. If for example you are signed up for the marathon and instead do the half marathon you may foul up the results for everyone behind you in the half marathon and potentially cause some in your age group to miss an award or receive the wrong award.

NOTE: There is no day of race packet pick up for the full marathon. Marathon runners MUST pick up race packets Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. As a last resort, all unclaimed bibs will be held at the Rodeo Grounds marathon bus loading on race morning. You will be able to claim a tee shirt after the race, the size is not guaranteed.

The race will be chip timed. Your chip is a part of your bib, do not remove it. Your number bib must be worn on the front and be visible at all times during the race.

Marathon Runners: Buses to the starting line will begin loading at The Rodeo Grounds at 4:30 a.m. The last bus to the start will leave the Rodeo Grounds at 5:45 a.m. SHARP. Arrive no later than 5:30 to catch your bus.

NON-Marathon Runners: Your race starts and ends at Prospector Park. You should plan on arriving and being parked at the Rodeo Grounds or Prospector Park at least one hour before the start of your race.

Parking for all events and spectators is at Prospector Park or the Rodeo Grounds on the South. Shuttle busses begin running at 6:00 a.m. between the Rodeo Grounds and the Park and continue throughout the day. Directions and Parking details are here.

All races other than the Marathon begin and end at Prospector Park. The Marathon begins near Gold Canyon, Arizona; all Marathoner's will be bussed to the start. Directions and Parking details are here.

The 2019 Lost Dutchman Races will be chip timed using ChronoTrack chip timing for all events. ChronoTrack is a road racing innovation using disposable tags "D-Tags" and simplifying the timing process for athletes. The inexpensive disposable tags shorten pre-race bib pick-up lines and eliminate all collection of tags or chips after the race. As a runner you will have more time to focus on competing and enjoying the event! Your chip is a part of your bib, do not remove it. Your number bib must be worn on the front and be visible at all times during the race.

AWARD PICK UP OR MAILING. Award recipients not able to stay for the awards presentation can still receive their award one of three ways:

On Sunday at the awards table: fill out a mailing label attached to a $10 check (for shipping and handling) payable to Lost Dutchman Marathon Inc.

Send a $10 check (for shipping and handling) payable to Lost Dutchman Marathon Inc. along with your mailing information to Attn: Liz Langenbach; City of AJ Parks and Recreation Department, 300 E. Superstition Blvd., Apache Junction, Az. 85119. Requests must be received by Friday, March 9th.

Pick up your award in person at the Apache Junction Multi-Generational Center beginning on Monday, February 19, 2018th from 8am-2pm or any time thru Friday, March 9th (Monday-Friday 5:30am-9pm/Saturday-7am-3pm).

Any awards not claimed by Friday, March 9th will be donated to one of our charities.

The Lost Dutchman Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit charity with an all-volunteer board of directors and unpaid officers and staff. The organization is dedicated to promoting running, and to providing a beautiful venue for runners from all parts of the country and around the world. The proceeds of the event go to funding scholarships for young men and women capable of successfully attending college but who due to their economic situation would otherwise be unable to afford tuition. Funding is also provided to boys and girls who would not otherwise be able to take advantage of summer youth programs.

Marathon Aid Stations: There are aid stations every 2 miles on the marathon course for the first 20 miles and then an aid station every mile to the finish. There are port-a-jons near every aid station. Lemon Lime Gatorade will be available at every other aid station starting at marathon mile 4. GU Energy Gel will be at miles 10 and 18 on the marathon course only. Bananas will be at 2 aid stations.

Half Marathon and 10K Aid Stations: For the 10K and Half Marathon courses there are aid stations every mile with water at every aid station with Lemon Lime Gatorade at every other aid station. There are port-a-jons near every aid station.

8K Aid Stations: For the 8K trail race there is one aid station that all runners will pass twice.

Aid stations are staffed by our tremendous volunteers without whom our event could not happen. Please thank them along the way.

Walkers are welcomed in all races except the marathon. Due to safety concerns and the need to clear the course as early as possible to release traffic, we require marathoners to maintain a minimum 14 minute per mile pace.

We will have check points beginning at mile 6 to determine your pace. There will be additional check points along the course. Anyone who arrives late at a checkpoint is subject to disqualification and removal from the course. We will have a pick up van for that purpose.

Dogs are banned from all courses. Strollers are banned from all races with the exception of the 2 mile. Although, we don't encourage due to desert course- this is the only race they will be permitted. We have increased the size of our events to optimum size, but portions of the course including the start and finish areas are crowded and the presence of a dog on a leash or a stroller presents an unnecessary safety hazard.

Because we offer high quality finisher's medals, awards, and Tee shirts, we must order well in advance. We must estimate how many people will be competing in order to make sure we have enough of each, but don't spend money on material that will not be used. Entering early helps both the runner and the event save money, and ensures supplies are appropriate for the event.

Looking for something to do before or after the race? Visit our local attractions page for information about beautiful golf courses and unique adventures awaiting around Gold canyon and Apache Junction.

The Lost Dutchman Marathon courses are certified as accurately measured by USA Track and Field, the governing body for road running in this country. Courses are measured by a standard bicycle fitted with a calibrated mechanical counter on the front wheel.

GPS readings on the course are almost always slightly longer than the distance measured with this mechanical counter because there is intentional variance built into the certification to insure that the minimum distance is completed and runners do not take the shortest possible route through the course. For additional information, there is a great post on the USA Track and Field website.

We welcome and encourage your feedback on our event. We read everything and seriously consider all advice and criticism with the objective of making the Lost Dutchman Marathon better every year. Nearly all feedback is published to our web site, however we may not post angry comments about specific isolated instances or those strictly offering advice. Editing is limited to cosmetic changes. You can enter an comment using our contact form or send an e-mail directly to race director Grady McEachern.